COVID-19 has taken an unprecedented toll on our residents, commerce and activity in the City of St. Petersburg. While COVID-19 continues to pose a threat, early actions and social distancing have helped to mitigate the worst of this public health crisis locally.
We have taken decisive steps in the early pandemic to reduce the burden on our frontline responders and health care system. We moved swiftly to work with the county commissioners to issue a “Safer at Home” order to reduce the impact on our community.
St. Petersburg quickly moved to help offset the significant, temporary loss of revenue during this global pandemic. Officials did so by creating the Fighting Chance Fund, an emergency grant (not loan) for the city’s negatively impacted, locally-owned and independently-operated small businesses and affected eligible individuals.
The Human Rights Campaign reports that more than 5 million LGBTQ adults are significantly impacted financially due to the COVID-19 crisis. Industries that LGBTQ adults work in are industries profoundly affected by COVID-19, affecting 40% of LGBTQ workers nationwide compared to 22% of non-LGBTQ individuals working in those industries.
We recognize the potential impact of coronavirus on the community’s health; this crisis threatens to compound the disparities that LGBTQ people already experience in health care. Particularly at risk in the current crisis and woefully underserved are the LGBTQ youth, senior and transgender communities that may be reluctant to get help.
We also recognize COVID-19 can significantly affect mental health for everyone, especially for those in the LGBTQ community. Both the anxiety of contracting the disease as well as the increase in loneliness and isolation can worsen and trigger symptoms. Tampa Bay agencies like Metro Inclusive Health and Project No Labels continue to offer telehealth and counseling.
During the “Safer at Home” restrictions, the LGBTQ community has seen events canceled and postponed. Equality Florida’s St. Pete Gala was forced to cancel and St Pete Pride has announced the postponement of their events until the fall. Our annual parade and festival is one of the best and largest in the nation and will undoubtedly outlast any challenges that come its way.
Now we recognize that it is time to prepare to Restart St. Pete in a thoughtful and gradual manner and with respect to federal guidelines and state and county orders. Working with Mayor Kriseman’s city team and 17 advisors, including physicians and business leaders, we will help chart the course forward while incorporating feedback from the St. Petersburg City Council, restaurateurs and community leaders including those in the LGBTQ community.
The challenges we face today are an opportunity to unify all of St Pete’s residents. COVID-19 does not discriminate by race, sex, age, sexual orientation or gender identity. In facing such a threat, we are united against a common enemy, and these are the challenges that bring us all together. In the interim, we should continue to embrace and celebrate our LGBTQ residents and allies each and every day for their efforts in helping the sun to shine so brightly on us here in St. Pete.
Jim Nixon is St. Petersburg’s LGBTQ liaison for the mayor’s office, the manager of the Metro LGBTQ Welcome Center and a former Watermark employee. He is the proud fur-parent to Woody, his beloved Boston terrier.
For the latest updates about COVID-19 and its impact on the LGBTQ communities in Tampa Bay and Central Florida, view Watermark’s frequently updated coverage here.
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